The Empty Tomb Changes Everything.

Resurrecting Hope: Overcoming Life’s Greatest Challenges—The Empty Tomb Changes Everything.

John 20:11-18

Week—Four.

The Secret Service—A gentleman walk in front of the pastor coming out of the church one day. The pastor grabbed him by the hand, pulled him aside and said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" The man replied, "I’m already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." The Pastor questioned, "How come I don’t see you except at Christmas and Easter?" He whispered back, "I’m in the secret service. “

Don’t be a secret service Christian!

Maybe some of us come to Easter morning struck down by circumstances beyond our control—by health problems, betrayal in relationships, job loss or simply by the emptiness of looking ahead at more of the same.

Not all of us come with full hearts of joy this morning!

In our darkest days, this resurrection power gives us light. In overwhelming— discouragement, it gives us faith. In the midst of devastating loss, it gives us joy. In times of divisiveness, it gives us something that unifies us.

Ready for some great news? The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and that gives us hope!

Let’s look at, John 20:11-18, and take it verse, by verse.

John 20:11AMP But Mary [who had returned] was standing outside the tomb sobbing; and so, as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb;

Here’s 3—important points about the resurrection:

Point 1—Hope appears when we least expect it.

Mary’s thinking, “I want to see my Jesus for the last time.”

As she looked inside the tomb—she might have thought her eyes were playing tricks on her—Two angels.

Hebrew 13:1-2NIV Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

You need help? Psalm 103:20, Angels, God’s Mighty ones, do His bidding.

John 20:12-13AMP and she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She told them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

Notice, the angels concern, “Woman why are you crying?”

Are you distressed?

Psalm 61:2NLT From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

Clark Commentary, Having God for my rock— He’s a strong fortified place, for my salvation continual safety, and my defense—my elevated tower, which places me out of the reach of my enemies; I shall not be greatly moved—I may be shaken, but cannot be cast down forever.

John 20:14AMP After saying this, (where have you laid Him?), she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Sometimes our situation seems so bad that we can’t see anything else—That’s Mary.

Ever been there? It’s over. The end.

John 20:15AMP Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? For whom are you looking?” Supposing that He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you are the one who has carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him, and I will take Him away.”

Notice Jesus’ nature, Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?

Can I tell you, people don’t know—Mary still didn’t know. It’s time we realize there’s a lot of people who don’t know? You can’t afford to take one scripture for granted. They need to be heard.

John 20:15TM Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?” She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Sir, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.”

Mary thinks it’s the gardener. Mary cries, “Sir, if you took Him please let me have His body!”

John 20:16AMP Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).

Again, Point 1, Hope appears when we least expect it.

Notice verse 16, “Mary!” God knows how to call our name.

POINT 2—Easter comes at just the right time.

Again, Hope has come!

Genesis 3:8-10TLB That evening they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden; and they hid themselves among the trees. 9 The Lord God called to Adam, “Why are you hiding?” 10 And Adam replied, “I heard you coming and didn’t want you to see me naked. So I hid.”

God came searching for His creation, but could not find them because of their shame.

—Shame is of the devil!

Verse 10 again, They were naked and so they hid.

Here’s the coolest thing about this, “The historical Easter account is about a God who re-enters a garden to search for those He loves and to offer life to them once again.” P.H